Chris Christie endured a controversial afternoon on Sunday when he was brutally harassed by Philadelphia Eagles fans before being accused of remaining silent as his friend was thrown out of their hospitality suite for displaying an American-Israeli flag.
Christie, who served as governor of New Jersey between 2010 and 2018, watched the NFC East showdown between the Eagles and his beloved Dallas Cowboys in a suite with New Jersey political heavyweight George Norcross.
Before the game had even begun at Lincoln Financial Field, Christie was mocked by Philadelphia fans when he predicted that the home team would lose 7-1 to their Texas rivals. The Eagles would end up winning 28-23.
During his Eagles Pregame Live show, host Ron Jaworski took Christie on camera and asked him how he thought the game would end.
However, the Eagles fans in the background made their feelings clear and booed Christie heavily when he made his bold prediction.
Chris Christie (left) was brutally harassed by Philadelphia Eagles fans during a pregame interview
An American-Israeli flag was unveiled behind Christie as he predicted victory for his beloved Cowboys
Jaworski said, “You never know who’s going to come over.” I’ll call one of our guests. He gets booed pretty loudly. Governor Chris Christie is here.
“We caught the governor walking through the parking lot. They love him here in Philadelphia. Wink, wink.’
Christie wasn’t deterred by the boos and joked about the “beautiful day the city gave Philadelphia to welcome the Dallas Cowboys.”
Christie doubled down on his support for the Cowboys, then predicted Mike McCarthy’s team would win 27-24.
As Christie left the stage, Jaworski joked that the Republican would “probably be in Jerry Jones’ box” – the Cowboys owner and Christie’s friend.
But instead of sitting with the Cowboys owner, Christie was actually sitting in the same suite as George Norcross, the New Jersey political heavyweight who has close ties to powerful Democrats.
But during the game, Norcross was ejected from the stadium for flying a half-American/half-Israeli flag from the balcony of his suite.
In a video posted to X, Norcross could be seen being escorted from his suite before stadium security guards took down the banner.
It appeared to be the same banner that was flown behind Christie during his television appearance earlier in the day when he made his prediction.
Christie was accused of “keeping quiet” when George Norcross was evicted from her suite
Norcross (left) was seen being escorted by security for flying a half-American, half-Israeli flag
The New Jersey political boss was in the same hospitality suite as Christie during the game
Security guards ejected George Norcross from the Eagles game today for hanging an American and Israeli flag outside his penalty box. Then they tore down the flag. pic.twitter.com/3agNgr3X0E
— Julie Roginsky (@julieroginsky) November 6, 2023
New Jersey Globe reporter David Wildstein suspected that the banner may have come from Norcross himself, as he often hosts a tailgate before Eagles games.
Norcross, 67, was named New Jersey’s “most powerful unelected individual” earlier this year and is widely sought by New Jersey Democrats for his endorsements and fundraising.
Norcross was a close ally of Christie as he served his two terms as governor, helping him push Republican legislation through a still Democrat-dominated House of Representatives.
Wildstein later posted: “Note: Chris Christie was a guest in George Norcross’s box.” “He said or did nothing as his friend was led out.”
Christie is a strong supporter of Israel and called on the US government to give them “everything they need to take any action necessary” in the country’s ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Norcross’s family’s support for Israel was evident when brother Donald Norcross was part of a congressional delegation to Tel Aviv following the October 7 attack.
Donald was also seen meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and reiterated his support for the Jewish state.
Norcross has connections to many politicians, including former Governor Christie – pictured in 2013
“It was important for me and my colleagues to travel to Israel to demonstrate the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship and our unwavering bipartisan, bicameral unity for Israel and the Jewish people,” the congressman said.
“Israel is our closest and most important ally in the Middle East and they need our support now more than ever.”
There are no specific policies against the flag at Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play, but there are rules regarding signs and banners.
“Signs, banners or similar items that are obscene or indecent, unrelated to the event, potentially offensive to other guests, likely to block the view of other fans, or otherwise deemed dangerous or inappropriate by the Eagles prohibited,” their 2014 guidelines state.
“Lincoln Financial Field reserves the right to confiscate any sign that violates stadium policy.”